Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 July 2014
359. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the fuel allowance in each year from 2010 to 2013; the annual cost of the scheme; the cost that would be associated with restoring the scheme to 32 weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32444/14]
View answerThe average numbers of recipients of fuel allowance for 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 were approximately 333,100, 387,700, 397,900 and 403,500, respectively. Expenditure on fuel allowance was €228.8m in 2010, €265.8m in 2011, €211.4m in 2012 and €226.7m in 2013. An extension of the fuel allowance season from 26 weeks to 32 weeks would cost an estimated €45.4 million in 2015 and in a full year. Any changes to the fuel allowance scheme could only be considered in a Budgetary context.
